Crash of a Douglas DC-3A off Freeport: 34 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1980 at 2058 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N75KW
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
West Palm Beach - Freeport
MSN:
4861
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
34
Captain / Total flying hours:
6600
Captain / Total hours on type:
1700.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
860
Copilot / Total hours on type:
150
Aircraft flight hours:
6700
Circumstances:
N75KW initiated takeoff from West Palm Beach at 19:40. The crew rejected the takeoff, reported that they had no airspeed indication and taxied back to the ramp. It appeared that both pitot tubes were covered or partially covered with a mud dauber's nest. The airspeed indicator then tested ok and the flight took off from runway 09L at 20:35. The crew were cleared to climb to 5,000 feet, to intercept Bahama Route 63V (BR 63V), and to proceed on course. At 20:49:23 Miami center cleared N75KW for the approach to Freeport and to cross the Halbi intersection at 4,000 feet. Around 20:57 Freeport approach control cleared the flight to descend to 1,400 feet for a VOR approach to land on runway 24 at Freeport, which was acknowledged. This was the last radio contact with the flight. The DC-3 descended into the sea in low ceilings, low visibility with moderate turbulence and thunderstorm activity.
Probable cause:
Unable to determine the probable cause of this accident from the available evidence. Although the Board has been unable to determine the probable cause with any degree of precision, the following factors may have contributed:
1) Flight into known thunderstorm activities and turbulence;
2) Pre-existing discrepancies in the pitot/static system of the aircraft and their effect on the reliability of the flight instruments;
3) Lack of operational control exercised by the airline's management.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680W II off South Bimini

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1980
Registration:
N93RA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
680-1722-2
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off South Bimini Airport. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Convair CV-440-86 Metropolitan in Freeport

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1979 at 0208 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N444JM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Freeport - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
419
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
43
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Freeport-Grand Bahama Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after a fire erupted in the right main wheel well. The crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing and completed a circuit when the right engine in fire detached and fell away. After touchdown on runway 24, the airplane veered to the right and came to rest in a lagoon. A passenger was seriously injured while 45 other occupants escaped with minor or no injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Fire in the right wheel well for unknown reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off The Bahamas

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4926T
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
411-0126
YOM:
1965
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
776
Circumstances:
En route from Palm Beach to the Turks & Caicos Islands, the pilot encountered technical problems and was forced to ditch the aircraft off The Bahamas. The pilot, sole on board, was rescued while the aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exacts cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando off San Andros

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N10624
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30271
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While in cruising flight, the crew encountered engine problems and decided to reduce his altitude and to ditch the aircraft off San Andros. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 off Treasure Cay

Date & Time: May 17, 1979 at 1715 LT
Registration:
N3836C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Treasure Cay - Andros Town
MSN:
500-756
YOM:
1959
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3770
Captain / Total hours on type:
1077.00
Circumstances:
During initial climb at Treasure Cay Airport, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a positive rate of climb, the airplane struck trees and lost height. The pilot decided to ditch the airplane into the sea, less than two km northeast of the airfield. The pilot was slightly injured and the airplane was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb and subsequent ditching for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure,
- Hit trees near runway after engine failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 Marquise in Marsh Harbour: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N304L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
137
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 off The Bahamas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4442
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Cat Island
MSN:
BA-8
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
17.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Cat Island, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off The Bahamas Islands. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, it was not possible to determine a probable cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S off Nassau

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1978 at 2230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N948Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Barranquilla - Great Inagua - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
BA-597
YOM:
1961
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5100
Captain / Total hours on type:
46.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Barranquilla to Fort Lauderdale with an intermediate stop on Great Inagua Island. While cruising off the Bahamas coast by night, the pilot declared an emergency after an engine failure and attempted to divert to the nearest airport. Eventually, he was forced to ditch the airplane few miles offshore. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Ditched in international waters, not recovered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Bimini: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1978 at 2340 LT
Registration:
N6227B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami - Bimini
MSN:
560-641
YOM:
1958
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
220
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Bimini Airport by night, the pilot became disoriented and lost control of the airplane that crashed few km from the airfield. All six occupants were killed. The aircraft was under suspicion of narcotics contraband.
Probable cause:
Collision with ground after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience and ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Misjudged altitude,
- Physical impairment.
Final Report: